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kilkennyobserver.ie
The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 June 2022
Opinion
As I See It Marianne Heron
School days and that question of sex ... Should girls and boys always be educated together? With so many controversies going on the proposed bill by the Labour Party that all Government funded schools in the 26 counties should be co-ed in future has created barely a ripple. Around 17% of primary schools are single sex and a third of secondary schools currently. If passed, the bill would make the change to same sex within 10 years for primary school and 15 for secondary schools. And unless single sex private schools make the change they would no longer qualify for Government funding. There are 51 feepaying secondary schools and 38 fee- paying primary schools (up 30% in the last 10 years.) The argument in favour of change is that the population of schools should reflect society in general. Labour’s spokesman on Education and Enterprise Aodhan O’Riordain
has claimed that single sex education is a contributory factor to toxic masculinity and to the increase in domestic violence in Ireland and that issues of sexual inequality affecting women are better tackled in co-ed schools. Previous research suggests that boys generally do better in co-ed schools, where the presence of girls plays down misogynism and softens macho culture. In an all-boys situation, pupils can suffer from a cult of hyper-masculinity. (Perhaps this is what has Boris Johnston and other Old Etonians in his Cabinet the way they are!) Also, the valorising of gamesplaying ‘jocks’ doesn’t do much for boys who are more academic, creative or sensitive. Girls generally achieve better and are more confident in single sex schools perhaps because they avoid competing with boys in a co-ed situation. I am inclined, though, to
agree with research by the ESRI, which found that differences in how well pupils did academically had more to do with individual schools than with whether or not they were co-ed. The only noticeable finding in the research was that girls behaved better in co-eds. Back in the day, I went to a girls-only school in Belfast, and at the time I was glad I did. It was difficult enough trying to fit in with various cliques, (sporty, popular, pretty or brainy) without complicating the picture with boys. The downside though was the lack of opportunity to meet the opposite sex, the only options being to join a tennis club, (not for me) or go to hops where after two dances a lad would ask you to go outside the dance hall where he would become like octopus with hands everywhere. Now though, I think differently. Is it not harder to have
sexist attitudes in a mixed situation? Also, these days, schools face more complex issues which need to be addressed around inclusivity and acceptance of diversity: nationality, colour and gender identity around LGBTQ. Also, social media has added another influential layer to the way that pupils relate to each other too. One objection to the bill would be that it would remove choice for parents who may feel that a particular child would be more suited to a single sex school with a certain ethos. There is also the question of how the change would work out in practice, particularly in single sex private schools with longstanding reputations: would boys go to Alexandra girls’ college for instance or would girls join Blackrock College? My granddaughters had differing experiences. One, who went to a co-ed school,
thought it was unwise to be separated, when, together, pupils could develop their own ideas about the opposite sex and what they might want from a partner in future. And that in girls’ schools, pupils tended to become ‘boy mad’, where the other sex became
‘A contributory factor in toxic masculinity . .
mysterious because you never saw them. An experiment in where classes were separate for core subjects during third year made classes less stressful during the awkward puberty stage and afterwards the boys who had matured were more respectful towards the girls. My granddaughter’s boyfriend found the ‘military’ fashion in which his boys’ school was run ,and the overly testosterone-filled classrooms, somewhat off-putting. In her girls’ school, granddaughter No. 2 achieved well academically but experienced problems with friendships and ‘bitchiness’, especially over boys. Just a few opinions but it sounds as though co-ed scored best, not necessarily for marks but for relationships. As Albert Einstein said about education: ”II is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”
Underactive thyroid natural support A lack of planning on the part CLAIR WHITTY
At the shop I see a lot of people who ask for advice about underactive thyroid. This is an extremely common condition which causes the body’s metabolic rate to slow down. This results in symptoms that can include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, memory and concentration problems, muscle and joint pain. Poor nutrition, stress, toxins, hormonal changes during the menopause, a lack of iodine in the diet can all contribute to the cause. The first step is to get a blood test and this will give you an indication of how
things are. They could also indicate Hashimoto’s disease, which is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. This is caused by an attack by the body’s own immune system. This process is known as an autoimmune condition and will have a different protocol than an underactive thyroid problem. If your bloods come back showing a problem, you would need a different blood test to rule this out. Nutritionally you can support your diet with nutrients it needs from food. Seaweeds such as nori, dulse, and kelp are great dietary sources of iodine and zinc. Vitamin A is important for thyroid hormone production and is found in eggs, dairy products, beef liver, and pumpkin seeds. B and Zinc work together to support thyroid
function and can be found in nuts, seeds, and wholegrains. As well as vitamin C which is found in fruit and vegetables. Omega 3 essential fatty acids are important too. Supplement wise, Biocare Th207 now called Thryoid Complex is one that I have seen good results with over the years. It’s a combination of powerful nutrients for thyroid support. It contains LTyrosine, Zinc, Selenium, vitamin C, N-Acetyl L-Cysteine, B vitamins, Vitamin A, and Potassium Iodide. All working together to support every step of thyroid hormone production. I would always recommend an omega 3 supplement and there are lots of excellent brands for you to choose from including Biocare’s own Mega EPA. If you’re on medication for thyroid you should take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You might even be wise to wait and have your coffee later in the morning so as not to affect absorption. Let us know if you have any questions about looking after your thyroid.
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of government has led to a complete failure to provide special education places BY: DEPUTY KATHLEEN FUNCHION SINN FEIN TD FOR KILKENNY CARLOW Speaking in relation to the proposal by the Minister for Special Education Josepha Madigan to create five special educational needs (SEN) centres in Dublin as an ‘interim’ solution to a shortage of places, Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion has said: “It should never have got to a position that we are in late May and children with additional needs do not have a school place. “The government has the power to use S37A to ensure schools open special classes in areas where they are needed. This conversation between the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the Department of Education should have been happening last autumn. “It is incredible that the Minister for Education, the
Minister for Special Education and the NCSE have access to all the data they need, as well as the powers and budget, yet did not use these. “Parents are now desperate because of the lack of government planning. “I am very concerned about the proposal to open special educational needs centres in Dublin only, as very often what the Department deems a ‘short-term’ measure is far from that. We only have to look at prefabs in schools around the State as testimony to their previous form in this regard. “Where a child needs a special class place, parents do not want them to be totally separated and segregated from other children. They want them to be part of the life of a school commu-
nity; ideally a local school. “It is devastating for these parents that the government’s lack of planning has stripped them of this option. “We are meant to be moving forward on the basis of inclusion and integration, not segregation. “Families across the State would much prefer if the government focused on using the powers available to them to open special classes, and ensure schools that do open classes are propprop erly supported, funded and staffed. gov“That way the gov ernment would be living up to its comcom mitments to children with special eduedu cational needs - to have a place in a special class in a school, not a special education seg‘centre’, seg regated and isolated from the school community.”
